Many over-the-counter diet pill manufacturers say their product will help you see miraculous weight loss -- like losing up to 30 pounds in 30 days -- without diet or exercise. Their claims sound too good to be true, and most of them are.
A few pills, especially the newer prescription varieties (such as Meridia and Xenical), have been shown in clinical studies to help dieters shed a few pounds. But the majority of the ads you see on the Internet and TV are for products that are unregulated, untested and unproven.
Even the most effective diet pills are only meant to be taken for a short period of time -- usually six months or less. During that time, doctor-prescribed weight-loss drugs can trim anywhere from 5 to 22 pounds, or up to 10 percent of your body weight. But after six months, your body develops a tolerance to these drugs' effects, and weight loss plateaus. After that, if you don't also follow a healthy eating and exercise plan, the weight will come right back.
Side Effects of Diet-pill Use
Different diet pills contain different ingredients, so their effects vary:
As fat blockers like orlistat (Xenical) remove excess fats via the intestines, they may cause uncomfortable cramping, gas and diarrhea. Because these drugs also reduce the body's absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients, people who take Xenical are advised to take a daily multivitamin supplement.
Sibutramine (Meridia) and other similar appetite suppressants stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which can raise blood pressure and heart rate. This increases the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest, especially among people who already suffer from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or heart disease. In fact, between February 1998 and March 2003, the FDA received reports of 49 deaths related to sibutramine. Other, more minor side effects include constipation, headache, dry mouth and insomnia (because the chemicals in these drugs also influence sleep patterns).
Herbal diet pills, even though they're "all natural," can have potentially dangerous side effects depending upon their ingredients. "Herbal" doesn't necessarily mean "safe." Also, because they are considered part of the food industry and are therefore regulated differently by the FDA, there is no guarantee that they can live up to their manufacturers' claims.
2007-03-26 20:59:37
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answer #1
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answered by msjerge 7
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It's not a good idea to lose weight with any diet pills, you don't know what's in them and they could be harmful. The healthy way to lose weight is with healthy eating and exercise. Try to make it permanent or you will gain it back, just like the pills- if you did lose the weight you will gain it back when you stop taking them.
2007-03-26 20:58:23
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answer #2
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answered by strawberry 4
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i no lots of people that have had them, but everyone of them have gained more weight, when they come off them, so i wouldnt bother, you will lose your 6k, come off and prob gain 12k. after. too lose weight u must eat, go healthy have small, fat free, brown bread, and at least half hour exercise a day. This way it will stay off.
2007-03-26 20:58:18
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answer #3
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answered by leigha 5
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no my er it will have side effects also on your health so it is better u will burn ur calories by workout to bacame slim.
2007-03-26 20:53:44
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answer #4
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answered by bobby4u2108 1
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It works or does not work NO MATTER. Just dont take those. PLEASE. If you do not listen to me, you will just start suffering after 5 years.
2007-03-26 21:43:42
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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some of them work, but its pretty much just legalized meth. you shouldnt take them, theyre really bad for your health
2007-03-26 20:49:28
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answer #6
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answered by slicexbread 2
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...it won't work unless you, yourself is discipline enough.
2007-03-26 21:00:52
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answer #7
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answered by Archangel 3
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